Posted in comments in Yahoo News May 19, 2013

Negotiations should not be between Assad and the rebels.  The negotiations should be between the powers in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestinian Terr. to merge as one nation.  Greater Syria or Syriaq if you will.  Make the vote simple.  Each country or region votes Yes/No to join the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.    Amman as the Capital.  Iraq can vote by each of the three separate districts, Shia, Sunni, Kurd.  Palestine can vote West Bank and Gaza separately.  All the rest have a country wide vote.

  Even Jordan can vote No but for Amman to be the potential capital of a nation of 70 million would be the biggest economic boost to that city/region since it was named Philadelphia and Petra was down the road a ways.   It is not like Amman does not have citizens of the entire region in the city for sanctuary as it is.

That was once the dream, a Greater Syria, a 100 years ago.  The Levant got lost when the UK and France denied that happening.  Time to start again.

Depending upon the outcome each region or voting  country keeps current government while new government is formed among those voting yes.   Diaspora get to vote.  Those voting no just go back to their independent government.  Every government respects the will of all the other regions governments regardless of vote.

Some keys points to keep in mind.  No matter the outcome, except for the very top of Syrian regime which may stay or go, the rest has to stay for the foreseeable future. Greater success depends upon that.  Also the Syrian military has to stay with perhaps a few off the top. Again this should not even be debated.   Also Russia has to stay.  This is also true of all other governments and militarises in countries or regions voting as well.

Making it a  Hashemite Kingdom for continuity sake and stability at the top is key for success.  Many have already voted for Jordan with their feet in fleeing from other countries.   To those countries saying yes to unification perhaps the King assigns interim government while constitution and government is formed.   If Assad wins Syriaq wide vote to be PM he stays.  If he looses he is gone.  Any country voting yes has their military immediately transferred to the control of the Kingdom.

Kurds get to keep Autonomous Region designation with perhaps a few other governorates added.  Druze and Alawites perhaps Autonomous Regions as well but only one area each and each must be entirely contiguous.  Everyone else is in the big tent.

All current militia's, armed rebels etc, no matter what country go to their respective corners to await vote and  chance to build government.  Any person not a citizen of countries, territories involved in merger/government talks to leave the area.  If not Syrian, Jordanian, Iraq forces to escort them out.    Otherwise cease fire until unification vote and beyond.

Besides Russia and perhaps China talking to Iran everyone else can just stand by and see what happens.

There is a lot of regional strife in virtually all these respective countries and regions that can address solutions a lot more effectively and long term united than divided.  Also the economy of all has a much better chance to blossom and grow united as one.

It is true it should be Syria that decides its future.  But the real Syria.  Greater Syria.  Or Syriaq.  That country  should have been there all along.